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And re-reading this, this proposed legislation would ONLY apply to Federal Law Enforcement.

There is a provision in there where states that don't adopt the same use of force policy would lose some Federal funding.

Whether or not states could compel counties and municipalities to adopt a particular policy is another issue. (My state does specify that police agencies have to have a policy on Use of Deadly Force, Use of Non-Deadly Force, Emergency Vehicle Operation and a couple of others, but they do not specify what the policies have to say. They do have model policies as a reference)

Thankful to be able to take a few minutes this week to talk with My NBC5 about policing practices. In Burlington, we have had numerous incidences over the last years that have called into question our police department's use of force and firearm use.

It wasn't until a few years ago that I learned that some countries do not require their police on regular duty to carry firearms: including the UK, New Zealand, and Iceland.

Of these countries, Iceland stood out. Unlike the UK and New Zealand, Iceland has a high rate of gun ownership-- on par with Vermont. Yet their law enforcement officers do not carry firearms and have shot and killed one person in 72 years. In Burlington, two people were shot and killed by police in the last six years.

Iceland utilizes a policing philosophy based on a culture of consent, respect and trust. In the US, firearms as a regular policing tool can enable a policing philosophy built on violence and forced compliance.

These kind of cultural shifts often don't happen overnight-- I am thankful for the opportunity to be part of these conversations and work toward solutions.

Iceland has a population a little more than half that of Wyoming. Pretty much everyone is a relative, and they had strict prohibition laws until relatively recent years. (Though the parents of my old high school buddy from Iceland liked to enjoy a strong libation more than infrequently.)

It's a whole different animal. (Believe me, I've heard the stories.)

Last edited by blues; 08-23-2019 at 04:35 PM.

“Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” - Sun Tzu | "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." - Mike Tyson

Iceland has a population a little more than half that of Wyoming. Pretty much everyone is a relative, and they had strict prohibition laws until relatively recent years. (Though the parents of my old high school buddy from Iceland liked to enjoy a strong libation more than infrequently.)

It's a whole different animal. (Believe me, I've heard the stories.)

This. A homogeneous culture with no more people than the greater metropolitan area of Spokane, WA.

"The evidence is all around us—the paroxysms of inchoate, infantile rage suffered by those who have turned fallible politicians into saviors and devils, godlike avatars of Good versus Evil."
-Camille Paglia

At least 40 years ago teachers were being told to avoid certain language. Telling a lie became misrepresenting the truth. Stealing became borrowing an item without asking. Cheating became not working independently. Rules became agreements. After I retired in 2002, I may have been the last teacher to tell a kid that "this room is only big enough for one fool, and I ain't leaving". I was an effective teacher in the inner city for these reasons: I did care; I did not hold grudges; I gave my best; and I had no fear. Further, I was straight up to the point of being blunt. Today some of these traits would be deemed unsatisfactory. We are seeing cultural shifts. Where it will lead is a mystery.